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Members of the IW Hockey Club celebrate their double promotion at Wednesday’s training session.

HOCKEYIT was double delight for the IW Hockey Club at the weekend after both its first and second teams secured promotion.

A 5-2 victory against Havant V won promotion to Hampshire 5 for the first-team squad with four games to spare, while their second team won 5-3 against title rivals, Bournemouth VI, to secure a place in Hampshire 9 next season.

Clive Green, chairman of the IW Hockey Club, which merged with Vectis Ladies at the start of the season, said: "Not only have the men’s teams won promotion, we have also seen members of the ladies’ team called up to the National British Colleges side this season.

"It shows what great talent and coaches we have here — it has been a very good year for hockey on the IW."

Two goals from Stephen Woodford, plus strikes from Barry Lloyd, Colin Simmonds and Richard Reynolds, gave the Island’s first team the win they needed.

The victory at Smallbrook Stadium kept alive their hopes of a league and cup double.

First-team captain, Simon Butler, said: "To wrap up promotion with four games to go and still be in the cup is a great achievement.

"We have used more than 20 players in the team this season and they all have been fantastic, showing the club has great depth."

The second team’s victory in the top-of-the-clash with Bournemouth was thanks to two goals apiece for Tom Young and Craig Bruce, a strike from Tony Howsam, and some heroic defending.

Second team captain, Kevin Dean, said: "We were practically a new side this season with a mixture of youth and experience.

"We started well and have continued that momentum, culminating in the excellent win at Bournemouth and we are delighted to be promoted."

The first team play Petersfield on Sunday in a match that could see them confirmed as champions. The second team travel to fourth-placed Romsey, knowing two wins from their final three games will guarantee the league title.